I've got me some issues to work out

Idalia had taken to going for long walks on her own since Incendio's antlers had fully come in. Their sudden disparate appearances was giving her a personal crisis of faith. Without him to follow like a shadow, Idalia was feeling... lost. Striking out on her own seemed to be the logical answer but so far it had only led to long, frustrating walks along through the pines of Winterfell. Spring hadn't done much to erase the snow that permanently covered the ground of her home but Idalia preferred the quiet that fresh powder provided. The forest floor had always been white to her. Part of the advantage of their snowbound home was that trespassers were decidedly easy to spot. Not that she'd ever encountered one, necessarily - but you could see anyone coming from a mile away. Her ears perked as she caught faint notes of a stranger's lazy song and she redirected herself towards the border to investigate.

When she arrived, Lia saw a large intruder. The pup coughed softly and puffed out her chest. This was the time to be brave. She quivered for a moment, questioning her own resolve, before buckling down to the task at hand. If Ace wasn't around (and she hadn't seen her father in months), she'd just have to deal with it herself. Idalia trotted towards the stranger, her ears perked with interest. She flagged her tail a bit higher than she may have usually. It was the first attempt at "dominance" she'd ever made. "Hey! Are you looking for Acere?" she asked, putting on her most authoritative tone.

wc 265
twc 548/1500